I recently received an announcement regarding an effort involving the Department of Labor and the National Association for Community Mediation.  As I understand it, the goal of the effort is to generate some sense of how mediators weigh various definitional aspects or components of mediation.

I have separately written a tediously long article entitled “Schmediation and the Dimensions of Definition” (available here) regarding the challenge (some would say futility) of defining something a practice as varied as mediation.

I do give DOL and NAFCM high marks for their effort at broad consultation and for their considerable ambition.  I am nervous about what might come of whatever answer(s) they construct from their responses.  And I’m particularly skeptical if the result will be something on the order of qualifications, credentialing, etc.

But I’ll be eager to stay tuned and learn more about what they learn and do.

The text of the announcement appears below.

MEDIATORS’ “DEFINING” MOMENT!

Looking for a defining opportunity for you (and our profession) to be heard?  Here’s one such opportunity brought to you by NAFCM: the National Association For Community Mediation.

The Department of Labor (DOL) wants to know what it takes to be an “expert mediator” and have turned to NAFCM for help.  As a member-based organization serving hundreds of mediators and community mediation centers – which, in turn, oversee thousands of skilled mediators nationwide – NAFCM is a natural fit to help the DOL identify the education, training, experience, and skills which combine to form our field’s best practitioners.

Here is how you can help shape the definition of “Mediator” for years to come:
By Wednesday, July 21st, at 5:00 pm PDT, send an e-mail to Justin R. Corbett, Executive Director of NAFCM, at corbett@nafcm.org with the following information:
Your name,
Your contact information (phone, e-mail, and postal address), and
A brief (single paragraph) overview of your experience as a mediator (or mediation educator, trainer, coordinator, etc.).
This information will then be shared with the DOL.  A random sample of respondents will be sent a 90-minute, confidential questionnaire, available to complete either online or via paper form, which examines a series of characteristic and competence metrics NAFCM has helped the DOL develop.  After completion, participants will be provided a congratulatory letter from both the DOL and NAFCM.  More importantly, however, is the satisfaction of having helped to shape a detailed report on what it takes to be a mediator.  This new description will be used by the federal government, and will be accessible online for all those considering a career or a volunteer commitment as a mediator.

“Expert mediators” can be market-oriented, court-connected, and/or community-based practitioners.  Diversity of experience, focus, frameworks, and context is encouraged to develop the most robust, inclusive definition of mediator characteristics.  Define your moment and define our field by sending a message to corbett@nafcm.org NOW!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POSTING WIDELY WITH COLLEAGUES, STATE ASSOCIATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, AND LISTSERVES!  Thank you.

In community,
Justin R. Corbett
NAFCM
—
Justin R. Corbett
Executive Director
NAFCM: National Association For Community Mediation
1959 South Power Road, Suite 103-279
Mesa, AZ 85206-4398

MM